Constitution
Revised 1996
ARTICLE I. NAME
This organization shall be known as “The Alabama Association of Pathologists.”
ARTICLE II. INCORPORATION
The Alabama Association of Pathologists is a non-profit professional association, the goals and aims of which are defined in Article III.
ARTICLE III. OBJECTS
The objects of this Association shall be:
(a) To foster the highest standards in education, research and the practice of Pathology;
(b) To advance the science of Pathology through study and education and to improve medical laboratory service to physicians, to hospitals and to the public;
(c) To maintain the dignity, precision and efficiency of the specialty of Pathology as defined here for the service of the common good.
ARTICLE IV. ADMINISTRATION
SECTION 1.
The general management of the Alabama Association of Pathologists shall be vested in a Board of Governors.
ARTICLE V. MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1.
Membership in this Association shall be:
– Emeritus Member
– Active Member
– Junior Member
– Honorary Member
SECTION 2.
Qualifications and election of members:
1. Election to all classes of membership shall be made by the Board of Governors following application.
2. Emeritus member. A member in good standing of this Association who has retired from the active practice of pathology may be designated an Emeritus Member upon notifying the Association of such retirement and upon recommendation of the Board of Governors. They shall pay no dues, shall not be elected to office, nor have the power to vote.
3. Active member. Any legally licensed physician of good moral character who is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pathology, and possess:
(a) the Degree of Doctor of Medicine and a minimum of five (5) years training, experience and active practice of Pathology, but who are not certified by the American Board of Pathology.
shall be eligible for election to membership as an Active Member with the right of election to office, committee membership and to vote
4. Associate Member. Those of good moral character who possess:
(a) a Doctorate in Veterinary, Dental or allied biological sciences with equivalent training in his field allied to the interests of this Association shall be eligible for election as an Associate Member. Associate Members may not be appointed to committees. They shall pay the regular dues.
5. Junior Member. Any legally licensed physician of good moral character who:
(a) has two (2) years of training toward certification by the American Board of Pathology; and
(b) is a Junior Member of the College of American Pathologists or has applied for such membership, shall be eligible for election as a Junior Member. He may be appointed to committees but may not vote or hold office. A Junior Member shall pay no dues. His or her status as a Junior Member may continue for a period of not more than five (5) years and, unless certified by the American Board of Pathology and elected to membership in this Association, shall automatically terminate. If certified and elected to membership in the College during this five (5) year period, he or she is expected to immediately apply for a change of status to Active Member. Failing to do so, his or her Junior Membership shall terminate unless prevented by illness, military service or other unavoidable circumstances.
6. Honorary member. A member or other person who has made outstanding contribution to the science and practice of Pathology may be nominated as an Honorary Member and elected to such membership by unanimous vote of the Board of Governors and of the Association. He shall not have the right to vote or hold office, but may be appointed to committees. An Honorary Member shall pay no dues.
7. The Code of Ethics of this Association shall be the same as that of the College of American Pathologists, and acceptance of and adherence to this Code shall be one of the qualifications for membership in this Association.
ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS
The Officers of this Association shall consist of the following:
– President and Chairman of the Board
– Past-President
– President-Elect
– Secretary-Treasurer
– Election of these officers shall be as provided for in the By-Laws.
ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS
Proposed amendments to the Constitution shall be submitted to the Board of Governors. The Board’s recommendation shall then be communicated to the voting membership by mail, at least thirty (30) days before the annual meeting. A two-thirds vote of those present at the meeting shall be necessary for the adoption of any amendment.
ARTICLE I. ELECTION AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS
SECTION 1.
The President of the Association shall also serve as the Chairman of Board of Governors. He shall preside at meetings of the Board and shall have the right to vote.
SECTION 2.
The President and President-Elect shall be elected annually at the stated annual meeting, held usually at the time of the annual meeting of the Alabama Association of Pathologists. They shall serve for one year or until their successors have been nominated and elected.
SECTION 3.
The President shall be the executive officer of the Association, preside at the meetings of the Association, a voting member of the Board of Governors and an ex-officio member of all committees with the right to vote.
SECTION 4.
The President-Elect shall preside at meetings of the Association in the absence of the President and at meetings of the Board of Governors if the President should be absent. He shall be an ex-officio member of the Board of Governors and of all committees with the right to vote.
SECTION 5.
The Secretary-Treasurer or his designee shall be elected at an annual meeting for a term of one (1) year, or until a successor is elected. He or his designee shall perform the usual duties of secretary and treasurer, and shall be a voting member of the Board of Governors and Secretary of such Board. He or his designee shall be responsible for issuing all notices and communications to the officers and members of the Association when necessary. He or his designee shall maintain a close liaison with the President in conducting the affairs of the Association. He or his designee shall have the custody of all documents, funds and all valuable materials of the Association. He or his designee shall notify the members of dues payable, dues in arrears, and collect these dues whenever possible, keeping an accurate record of such payment. He or his designee shall sign all checks in the name of the Association. For such payments, so made, the Secretary-Treasurer shall have no liability. He or his designee shall keep careful records and render a report to the Board of Governors upon request, and to the Association at the annual meeting. He or his designee shall keep the minutes of meetings of the Board, Committees, and the previous annual meeting of the Association.
SECTION 6.
The Board of Governors shall consist of the four (4) officers (President, President-Elect, Secretary-Treasurer, Past President) and three (3) Governors. One Governor shall be elected each year at the annual meeting to serve for three (3) years in order to provide for sequence of succession. Other ex-officio members (i.e. Committee Chairmen) may be appointed as deemed appropriate by the Board. The Board shall meet upon call of the Chairman and regularly just preceding the annual meeting of the Association or as deemed necessary. Four members of the Board shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE II. MEETINGS
SECTION 1.
Resignation of a member shall be in writing, addressed to the Secretary-Treasurer.
SECTION 2.
Any member who fails to pay his dues after one year, and having been notified by the Secretary-Treasurer of such delinquency, shall be automatically dropped from membership.
SECTION 3.
Disciplinary action toward, and/or dismissal of any member may be undertaken by the Board of Governors after thirty (30) days notice of charges. Such member under charges shall have the right of hearing before the Board of Governors. Any action taken by the Board of Governors shall require a two-thirds vote of the Board, and such action may be appealed to the Association by the member if he so desires.
SECTION 4.
Any member dropped from the rolls for cause may apply for reinstatement after one year.
ARTICLE IV. COMMITTEES
The following standing Committees shall be appointed each year by the incoming President.
1. Professional Relations Committee.
This committee will work with government agencies, insurance companies, and other professional societies on issues which affect the practice of Pathology.
2. Nominating Committee.
The President shall appoint no less than three (3) and no more than five (5) active members to serve as a nominating committee. The appointments shall be made no later than sixty (60) days prior to the annual meeting. Nominations from the floor can be made.
3. Program Committee.
This committee shall cooperate as far as possible with the Program Committee of the Medical Association of Alabama in planning for the participation of an invited guest pathologist for the annual meeting of the State Association.
When considered necessary or advisable, the Board of Governors may function as any or all of the above committees with the exception of the nominating committee. The President shall appoint appropriate committees to, from time to time, work on specific issues.
ARTICLE V. DUES
Dues shall be fixed annually by the Board of Governors, subject to approval by the dues-paying membership of the Association. Special assessments may be levied by the Board of Governors, if and when deemed necessary as an emergency measure.
ARTICLE VI. AMENDMENTS AND CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
The By-Laws may be amended or repealed at any regular meeting or called meeting for such purpose by a majority vote of the voting members present.
Suspension of By-Laws shall require unanimous consent of voting members present.